Daily Lectio Divina – December 23, 2025
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent.
Brothers and Sisters in uniform, veterans, and fellow pilgrims,
Just two days before Christmas, the Church gives us the birth of John the Baptist – the forerunner, the voice crying in the wilderness, the one sent to prepare the way of the Lord. In today’s readings, the prophet Malachi announces a messenger who will purify and ready God’s people, and the Gospel shows that promise fulfilled in the miraculous birth and naming of John.
Gospel: Luke 1:57-66 (NABRE)
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son.Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,and they rejoiced with her.When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,but his mother said in reply,“No. He will be called John.”But they answered her,“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”and all were amazed.Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,and he spoke, blessing God.Then fear came upon all their neighbors,and all these matters were discussedthroughout the hill country of Judea.All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,“What, then, will this child be?”For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
Personal Reflection as a Retired Master-at-Arms and Spiritual Director
I’ve spent years in the Navy as a forerunner myself – standing watch, clearing paths, preparing the way for the mission and for those who followed. But there were long seasons when God seemed silent: deployments that stretched on, injuries that lingered, doubts after losses that asked, “Where are You in this?” Like Zechariah, my voice was muted at times – not literally, but in prayer, in hope, in trusting His timing.
Then came the moment of obedience. Writing “John is his name” wasn’t just Zechariah following orders; it was surrender. And in that surrender, his tongue was loosed, praise poured out, and everyone around saw the hand of God. I’ve lived that breakthrough – the day I finally said “yes” to God’s call into spiritual direction after retirement, naming what He had already named in me. The silence broke. Joy returned. Others noticed.
We’re all asked that question over our lives: “What, then, will this child be?” – this veteran, this wounded warrior, this retired chief still carrying the mission. The answer hasn’t changed: the hand of the Lord is with you. He’s preparing you, even now, to point others to Christ this Christmas.
5-Minute Lectio Divina Exercise
Find a quiet moment. Breathe deeply and invite the Holy Spirit.
—Lectio (Read):
Slowly read Luke 1:57-66 aloud or in silence.
Let the words settle.
—Meditatio (Reflect):
Read again. What word or phrase stands out?
(Perhaps “John is his name,” “the hand of the Lord was with him,” or “they rejoiced with her.”) How does it touch your own seasons of waiting, silence, or breakthrough?
—Oratio (Pray):
Speak to God from your heart.
Thank Him for the times He broke your silence. Ask for grace to obey boldly, to name what He has named in your life. Pray for those still in the wilderness of waiting.
—Contemplatio (Rest):
Sit in silence.
Rest in the truth that the hand of the Lord is with you, guiding your mission even now.
—Actio (Action):
Today, prepare the way in a small act – reach out to a battle buddy who’s struggling, share a word of encouragement, or simply rejoice with someone God has blessed.
May St. John the Baptist intercede for us as we make ready for the coming of the Lord.
In His service,
MAC(SW/AW/EXW) Heath Garcia (USN , Ret.)
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Daily Lectio Divina – December 23, 2025
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